Benson inks two for 2013

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman head men's basketball coach Chuck Benson has signed two players – one out of high school and one transfer from Morehead State – for 2013.

Toledo Central Catholic's CJ Bussey and Morehead State's Sawyer Williams will both be available for the Eagles next season.

"These guys fill some needs that we saw after this past season," Benson said. "On their visits, they meshed well with our current guys. Both of them fit so well with the guys that we already have."

CJ Bussey: Bussey is a 6-1, 180-pound guard from Toledo, Ohio and Toledo Central Catholic. As a three-year varsity letter winner, Bussey helped guide the Fighting Irish to a 57-15 record in his three seasons with the varsity.

TCCHS had remarkable success with him on the squad, it took a trip to the Ohio Division I Final Four in 2011, and with Bussey helping out won regional, district and sectional championships that year.

In 2012, Bussey helped the Fighting Irish to a Three Rivers Athletic Conference Championship and a sectional championship, while guiding them to the Northwest District final in 2013.

"He's a combo guard who will compete for minutes at the point and could potentially slide to the two," Benson said. "He's a tough kid to defend cause he can shoot and get the ball into the paint off the dribble."

He is a two-time honorable mention all-TRAC selection and a two-time honorable mention all-district selection.

In his senior season, he averaged 10.5 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 60 percent from the floor and 38 percent from three. He also averaged 3.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

He is the son of Deirdre Bussey and Cliff Bussey Sr. CJ is undecided on a major.

Sawyer Williams: A 6-7, 215-pound forward from Owenton, Ky., Williams spent 2012-2013 redshirting for Morehead State. He comes to Carson-Newman with four years of eligibility remaining and will be able to compete immediately.

A two-sport athlete for Owens County High School, Williams was named his conference's player of the year his junior and senior seasons and the region's player of the year his senior year. Following his senior season, he participated in the Kentucky v. Ohio All-Star Game.

"Sawyer's unique, he's like a Clark Kent – Superman kind of guy," Benson said. "He's a straight forward, nice guy when you meet him. But when you turn on the lights, he's ready to rip someone's head off to get the job done inside."

He scored 1,186 points in his high school career, grabbed 740 rebounds and blocked 136 shots. His senior year, Williams nearly averaged a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds.

As a football player, Williams was named his district's MVP.

He is the son of Rusty and Heidi Williams and has a brother Carson and a sister Kelsey. Williams plans to study to become a veterinarian at C-N.